I’m not an economist.   What I know about the economy could probably be written on the back of a postage stamp – make that a small postage stamp, please.   Yet when it comes to the economy there is one factor that every family knows – or should know – from experience: you cannot continue to live beyond your means.   If I spend more than I earn I’m going to be in big financial trouble if I don’t deal with that situation.

We learnt that lesson also as a denomination in the previous inter-synodical period – we spent more than the churches gave.   The result is that we had to appeal to our members to help us out by means of a special denominational collection.

Some families find it hard to learn the lesson that we can’t spend more than we earn.   I know of one family that has been bankrupted twice.

Governments also find that a hard lesson to learn.   When we chose a new government here in Queensland earlier this year the huge debt that had been run up by the previous government was a well-known fact.   This past week there was some debate in the media as to the actual amount that this State is in the red.   The fact is that our gross debt is $64 billion.   The debate was about how long it would take to reach $100 billion.

It’s scary to think in terms of debts of $64 billion.   According to my calculations, that means that on average every man, woman and child in Queensland is more than $14,000 in debt.   But that’s only the tip of the iceberg.   The Federal government has also gone back into the red after the previous government’s healthy surplus.   The gross Australian federal debt was more than $208 billion at the end of September last year.   And then I haven’t even mentioned the debts of our local government.   Where all this leads, if it is not urgently dealt with, has been seen in some European countries where economies are on the brink of collapse.

I mention all this because the local papers have been reporting on some widespread anger in the community over the job cuts that have taken place in the public service sector.   I sympathise with those who find themselves out of work and hope that they are able to find other meaningful employment quickly.   But the reality is this government was elected with a mandate to fix the State’s economy.

The other factor that concerns me deeply is that we live in a welfare state where we are growing accustomed to having the government (at various levels) look after us from the cradle to the grave.   That sort of outlook is going to receive a very hefty reality check in the times ahead.   We need to moderate our expectations.

For the church this may mean – as so often has happened in the past – that people in need will seek out the help of Body of Christ on earth.   There is a sense in which the church is far better placed to help the needy than is the government.   But more about that next time!

John Westendorp